December in WDW: How Cold Are We Talking About?

[Disneylover99]

Haha, that would be great!!!

20's-80's generally.

I'm pretty sure I've just jinxed my December trip by saying 50's - 80's.

 

[scrapquitler]

I've heard a lot of advice about packing layers and some heavier clothing for December in WDW. Obviously we're planning on bringing this type of stuff with us, but how cold are we really talking about? I'm not sure what "cold" is and I'm sure it depends on where you are traveling from. We'll be coming from NY, so our typical temperatures at that point are in the 20s and 30s during the day. And lots of snow which we are obviously looking forward to taking a break from in Disney (with the exception of the MVMCP parade of course).

Went during Thanksgiving week one year (2004? 2007? I don't remember) and it was colder in Orlando that week than it was in CT. Like mid 40's in Orlando, which we totally didn't expect.

 

[kaybird]

We were there the year it was in the 20's. Never got warm enough to really enjoy being out, but gloves and hats in addition to the jackets were lifesavers. Always keep those in the Disney bag now, just in case. As someone else posted, it may not be colder than home, but at home you don't go out and try to have fun all day.

 

[epcotty]

I definitely recommend getting a locker and putting a backpack of warm clothes if it seems it could get colder later on (if it's cold all day you can just dress warmly all day). It can get and feel really cold there, especially with being outside so much

 

[justmeinflorida]

Well OP all I can say is, this morning it was 44 but it was also breezy so it felt much colder. I don't think we got above 55 today and with that breeze I was wearing a warm jacket all day. Tonight is pretty darn chilly right now because the breeze hasn't stopped. It's 76 in my house but every time you go outside you carry the cold back in with you. Here in Florida it's really a different kind of cold, it stays with you and it chills you to the bone. BTW I'm from Queens, NY trust me the cold up there is NOT the same as it is here.

 

[Sparkly]

Last February it was warm in the daytime but come sunset it turned freezing. It was so cold we didn't want to be out in the parks much.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well OP all I can say is, this morning it was 44 but it was also breezy so it felt much colder. I don't think we got above 55 today and with that breeze I was wearing a warm jacket all day. Tonight is pretty darn chilly right now because the breeze hasn't stopped. It's 76 in my house but every time you go outside you carry the cold back in with you. Here in Florida it's really a different kind of cold, it stays with you and it chills you to the bone. BTW I'm from Queens, NY trust me the cold up there is NOT the same as it is here.

Also, when in the parks, you are around a lot of water in the ponds, lakes, fountains, etc. Breezes over water are very cooling, or chilling. Additionally, when you are home and it is chilly or cold, you are not out in it very long. You walk or drive to somewhere, home, workplace, shopping, etc, and are then out of the cold. When in the parks, you are walking and standing in the cold for lengthy amounts of time. A big difference from when back home.

 

[6loversofdisney]

While we sat and watched the christmas parade last December 6th, we froze. Checked temp on phone...32

And we were not as prepared as we could have been.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm leaving on Sat, for a trip to DL for 4 days, then onward to WDW for a week. I'll have to bring more clothing than usual. It should be fine in LA, but once I get to Orlando? All bets are off. I've been going to WDW at this time of year, almost every year, since '03. They talk about the weather up here, in NE? Yeah, Orlando is even more changeable....especially at this time of year. So, I'll have 4-5 pairs of jeans/cords, a few turtlenecks, 2 sweatshirts, a pair or two of capris and a skort...with a bunch of tee shirts and a long sleeved tee shirt as well. I'll travel in jeans, turtleneck, sweater and lined windbreaker.
It can be bone chilling in Orlando at this time of year. I've had day time temps in the low 80's, but it plummets to the 40's at night. And let me tell you.....when it's dark, the 40's are brrr cold!!!! Especially if you're near any water...like at Epcot!!!!
The really funny thing is watching the CMs. I've got on jeans, a sweatshirt and turtleneck. They're dressed in heavy coats, hats, scarves and gloves!!!!

 

[cruisingtwins]

So funny. Did you look at the forecast for today before posting? Classic weather in the SE.
If you are traveling to FL any time of the year that isn't mid April to early Nov you better bring layers.

Lol I did we had plans to go to the beach and we went anyways we even swam the water was not cold it was pretty windy though.

 

[kevind2112]

Went during Thanksgiving week one year (2004? 2007? I don't remember) and it was colder in Orlando that week than it was in CT. Like mid 40's in Orlando, which we totally didn't expect.

We were there in 2006 and it was COLD if I remember correctly.

 

[5Hfan]

We too did Disney in 2010...spent a fortune on blankets for the five of us. Last year we brought those same blankets, gloves, etc. And did'nt even need a jacket at night and we're from NY as well!

another Dec 2010 survivor here, lol. Cannot tell you how many people were shivering in shorts and coming up to us wanting to know where we had bought the hats/gloves/sweaters/scarves...alas we brought them from home, and were so glad to have them! Packed them all up for last year, didn't need them, but sure was glad to have them! (and did wear sweaters a few of the evenings, even the pool day that was plenty warm).

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

As a native Floridian I can tell you that the weather here is crazy. As a normal rule, if you don't like it, just wait a few minutes and it'll change! The humidity here makes it feel a heck of a lot colder than other places. It's the kind of cold that gets in you and just stays. Especially if you're outside for too long. It can get below freezing in Dec, so like everyone else has said, pack your warm clothes, do layers, and worse case scenario you won't need them. But it's better to be safe than sorry, and warm than frozen!!!

 

[Julylady]

Last Dec I wore jeans, a long sleeve shirt, a sweater and my Winter lands end coat. I also had a scarf and mittens. I was still cold.

 

[bumbershoot]

Went during Thanksgiving week one year (2004? 2007? I don't remember) and it was colder in Orlando that week than it was in CT.

Yep, during one of our cold weather Orlando trips it was not only colder than it was in Seattle, but it was colder that day than it was in Anchorage. Come on, how fair is that?


I swore "no more winter trips" after January of this year, and now I have myself signed up for two runs during Princess. Sigh. At least it's just me that I have to worry about, not DH or DS. But after this, no more winter trips! Every time we've gone during the cold I end up sick for months after. Jan 2014 I got sick 2 days after arriving, so I was already sick, but it was still hanging on, making me feel rotten, even in March. After 2010 I lost my voice for a month and was still sick a month after that. Rotten rotten. Too much stress on my body, when it gets so cold and I'm not prepared.